Venue & Performance Requirements

To ensure a high-quality performance and protect our valuable instruments, the client agrees to provide the following setup:

• Seating: One armless chair per musician, set up prior to our arrival. If you prefer a standing performance (available for bookings of 2 hours or less) we require one armless chair for our cellist only.
• Space Requirements: We require the following floor space depending on your ensemble booking:
  • Solo: 1.0m x 1.0m
  • Duo: 1.6m x 1.1m
  • Trio: 2.0m x 1.6m
  • Quartet: 2.5m x 1.6m
  • Double Quartet: 5.0m x 2.2m
• Environmental Protection: Full shelter from direct sunlight, rain, and wind is mandatory to protect our valuable instruments. We also cannot perform within 20 metres of sand.
• Breaks & Meals:
  • Bookings over 1.5 hours: A 10-minute break is required each hour.
  • Bookings over 3 hours: A 20-minute meal break and one standard hot meal must be provided for each musician.
• Piano: If your booking includes a pianist and you have not hired an electric piano through us, the venue must supply a tuned piano.
• Repertoire: While we strive to accommodate all musical preferences, specific song requests cannot be guaranteed for events booked within 5 days of the performance date.
• Amplification: For events with more than 100 guests (excluding wedding ceremonies and funerals), we highly recommend the client or venue provides amplification to ensure we are heard.

Payment, Surcharges & Overtime

• Deposit & Balance: A $500 non-refundable deposit is required to secure your booking date. The remaining balance must be paid in full at least 30 days prior to the event.
• Short-Notice & After-Hours Fees: Bookings made within 5 days of the event date are subject to a 15% short-notice surcharge. Bookings scheduled between 9:00 PM and 9:00 AM incur a 20% after-hours fee.
• Overtime: Any performance extending beyond the contracted time is subject to the musicians’ availability on the day. Overtime is billed at $50 per 10-minute increment, per musician. To avoid unexpected charges, we strongly advise extending your booking hours in advance.

Cancellations & Postponements

• Refund Policy: String Musicians Australia does not issue monetary refunds.
• Credits & Postponements: If you need to cancel or postpone your event, a full credit will be issued, provided we receive at least 30 days’ notice via email. Credits remain valid for 365 days from your original event date.

Liability & Agreement

• Venue Accuracy: The client is responsible for providing complete and correct event details, including the exact date, time, and street address. String Musicians Australia accepts no liability, and refunds will not be issued, for missed or delayed performances resulting from inaccurate or vague location information.
• Binding Agreement: In the absence of a physically signed contract, the submission of our online booking form, acceptance of these Terms of Service, and all subsequent email correspondence constitute a legally binding agreement between the client and String Musicians Australia.